Hi Everyone,

I'm looking to purchase a 2011 Evo X GSR OBP + Nav/ S&S, S&L, Aero Kit by this weekend and a friend of mine who has a 11 STI Limited told me "good luck" because of the amount of problems he has heard the Evo had. I was doing some searching and came across this list....

fuel pump relay
pins in tranny differential causing tranny failure
fuel return line recalled
hood latch recalled
knock sensor mystery
maf failures common
cloth on seats
scratching tint due to window design
rattly windows when partially open
rattly glove compartment
rattly seatbelt mechanisms on bpillars
weak clutch

That seems like cause for concern to me. I was wondering what everyone's take was on these issues? Should this discourage me from buying this car?

I realize all cars have their problems, but... really?

 

I can understand your concern but there is really nothing to be concerned about. To begin with, your buddy had made a huge mistake of getting the sti as wrx owns stis and its a lot cheaper (owned in other words). I am actually glad you decided to post on the EVO forums as we do own evos and dont "hear" things from others. As for the subaru owners I am afraid most just like to throw **** on the EVO because how much their car blows compared to the evo (as proven by MULTIPLE credible sources). Even their WRX (a down model from STI) is better than the STI. Enough said.

Anyhow... It takes about 2 minutes to fix the rattling on all the parts (presto felt) and for the fuel pump relay (zip tie or custom metal tie if you want). There are how to's on the forum and they really are easy to do.

For the recalls, its a recall any car can have it and its fixed for free at the dealer.

if you are getting SL, what cloth are you hearing on the seats?

The tint doesnt scratch at all. I've actually never even heard of it nor about the window rattling when the window when partially open. Well, if you are going 70 miles and hour I would assume its going to rattle?

As for the clutch. Yes it is weak IF you have 400 whp/wtq. Till you hit that amount it is just fine.

The only thing you could be worried about the evo is the POS of a paint it has. For the rest, fixing tiny bits and pieces is a joke. I never was a gear head nor was I amazing with fixing cars myself but even if I learned how to, anyone can.

 

The majority of those were issues with the 2008 taken care of by TSB's and recalls, any new model car will have this (2008 WRX/STI for example). If a problem does arise you have the factory warranty for a reason.

 

You forgot crappy paint :P

When people have problems, they post on this forum for help so it may seem like everyone is having trouble. But people with perfectly fine Evo's aren't going to make a new thread saying "hey the Evo is just fine". imo, ppl with HUGE issues only make up a small small percentage of the Evo population.

 

Thats a pretty complete list and actually pretty accurate.

 

A good portion of those were addressed already like some said. In some cases, the others are just minor fixes and don't hurt the mechanical performance or reliability of the car.

Every car will have its problems. But I first looked into the STI when I was going to buy the car. I cruised the forums and periodically kept reading about the ringland failures. Now, maybe they've address this better since I last read about it, but to me that turned me off.

The mechanical reliability of cars is what concerned me the most. The only problems I mostly read for Evos were ones where someone's engine blew up, but they had modded it and mostly not correctly.

I am very happy with the Evo X and chose to not driving the ticking-time bomb that at the time the STI appeared to be.

Clearly you have done some research. Just make sure to do it on both sides and find out where the issues currently stand on the most recent vehicles. So look into the mechanical problems you've listed and see what happens. The failures you listed shouldn't give you a problem in stock form, and are just the weak points that may need addressing depending on your level of mods in the future.

Good luck in your search.


P.S.: If you want to add another to your list, there have been problems reported with the timing chain stretching. As well as the Clutch Master Cylinder giving out with a stronger clutch.

 

As kracka pointed out, 90% of those were 2008 issues. ALL of those have been fixed by 2011 except the rattles which are easy fixes. Tell your subbie friend he needs to pay closer attention.

The fuel pump relay is only a problem with modified cars. The relay never fails enough to make a lean condition on a factory car. So really it isn't so much of a problem.

Rattles thread I've been compiling: https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...xes-evo-x.html

 

Your buddy made the mistake of getting the Subie.

 

Also, there is actually a few people on this forum as well who had a 11 STI and traded it in for a EVO X.

 

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...ought-evo.html

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...o-gsr-wow.html

 

dont forget about the random timing chain streching! :P

 

I got my 2010 GSR in December, spent $15 and 2 minutes on the latest relay and that was it. Car has 7700 miles and runs like a champ. Wouldn't have done it any other way. I think the issues are being overstated.

 

my one most favorite STI ever was 2007 model... once they went to a hatch back, i was like "WTF?!?!?!?!"... then i read on how bad their ring lands or something that i believe cylinder 3 always gives out... then their handling on their hatch was not even comparable to the evo... double "WTF?!?!?!"... most of those problems that your "buddy" have described have been resolved... rattling will ALWAYS be there... our car is not some kind of exotic super car... heck, i bet your buddy has rattles as well. although, ive never heard of MAF failure on evo. one more thing, working on the evo's engine is much easier than on the subbie. my car is at 43K miles and i love the way it still drives. oh, i love the way evo's seats are, it holds you in place.
4 months ago, i got into an accident where i was making a left turn and some chick ran a red light, hit me on my passenger rear quarter pannel at approximately 40MPH... i did a 180* turn... i went to see a chiropractor, and he was stunned because i didnt have any injury with that much speed. subbie's seats, it doesnt have that much "grip" or support. if you want to put an ease on your mind, test drive both. good luck!

 

Whew, what a relief. Thanks for all the responses everyone. I'm pretty excited again!

 

Also, I never said I wanted a scoobie. The only STI's I liked were the 06-07's.... All the other ones are pretty ugly imho. He was getting his information from his friend who drives an Evo XIII.